February Fun forFamily Day! - theHumm February 2022
February Fun forFamily Day! - theHumm February 2022
By Sarah Kerr
As I write this little article, we have had the kids at school for two-and-a-half days this year and it’s nearly February. Having kids online in lockdown during the darkest month of year, while trying to get work done, was the farthest thing from “fun”… there was stress, tears and soo much coffee! I was gearing up for Blue Monday (the most depressing day of the year) with trepidation as everyone’s anxiety was already so high, and yet I felt a sliver of excitement about the back-to-school announcement. Finally, the kids would return to school! But mother nature had other plans — no, Mr. Ford, not time to return to class yet. Blue Monday was a Snow Day!
I threw in the towel on expectations of productivity and gave into the snow day experience. My kids made pancakes and we drenched them in local maple syrup, we put on every piece of snow gear we could find, dug our way out of the front door and jumped into snow drifts higher than our kids. We went sledding and cross-country skiing, drank hot cocoa with marshmallows, snuggled by the fire, rented the really bad slapstick comedy Snow Day and tucked the kids into bed with a Mercer Mayer classic, Just a Snowman. And despite the absolute exhaustion of starting the third week of school still at home, jumping into winter full-on brought back a little spark — well, that and the fact that the next day schools were finally open!
So this month as we gear up for Family Day, I wanted to share a fun weekend itinerary that you can tweak to immerse yourselves in the season. You can try and pack it all into Family Day Weekend or spread out the fun throughout the month. And if you can remember, take a picture of your family with theHumm on your local travels and send it to Kris & Rob!
Friday Night Date
If you have little kids like me, I suggest this would work best if you leave the kids on a movie night of their own and bust out for a date night. If your kids are older, then they might get a kick out of joining in for your own “bonfire table” dinner reservation at the Cheshire Cat in Carp and then a timed skate down the new forest trails at Icelynd in Stittsville (reservations required). Dress to impress — and in Canadian winter, that means in many, many layers so you don’t complain about the cold!
Saturday Fun
We all know that a good Saturday starts with some local maple syrup on a high stack of pancakes. To do this best, I suggest going full Curious George and hitting up your local maple sugar shack. Tour the farm, eat some pancakes there or buy a bottle of the good stuff and head home for brunch. Sugar bushes like Fulton’s in Cedar Hill offer a sledding hill, playground, and ski and snowshoe trails. Bring your gear for a full day of fun in the sugar bush!
Sunday is for Skiing
We love our local hill, Mount Pakenham, on Sunday afternoons in the sun. They’ve outdone themselves to make skiing safe and fun throughout the pandemic. You don’t even need to go into the lodge if you have your own gear — their ticket booth is outdoors, they offer picnic tables for their outdoor BBQ and hot chocolate bar, and outdoor porta-potties abound. Hit the slopes for a day of family fun!
Holiday Monday
There are a number of ways to approach a holiday Monday, based on your personality. One is to go hard and head into the city for a skate on the famous Rideau Canal, grab a beavertail and see some of the world-renowned ice sculptures. The opposite would be to stay home, send the kids out to build a snowman in your backyard, and prepare meals for the week ahead while tuning into the virtual Winterlude festival online. A moderate option would be to keep it local, hit up the Sens Rink of Dreams in Smiths Falls and tuck in for an early night!
Whatever your personality, and energy level, I hope you catch the spirit of the season this February and have a wonderful family day weekend!
Chris Cavan —Rooted to the Sky - theHumm February 2022
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
Almonte artist Chris Cavan’s exuberant watercolour paintings are a testament to the essential role that trees play in her creativity and overall wellbeing. Trees have sustained and inspired her since she was a young girl, and dominate her art, her poetry and her writings. On the advice of Almonte “Energizer Bunny” and fellow artist Neil Carleton, Chris compiled an extensive binder of her art, photographs and original writings to accompany her recent art exhibit at the Corrid......
Performing Arts in Pandemic Times - theHumm February 2022
By Kris Riendeau
I’ve spent much of the past two years writing about the impact of the pandemic on performers and the performing arts. As a publisher and editor of theHumm, I do not make my living as a performer, but I sure am performing arts-adjacent. Through our Hummail e-newsletter and in the pages of our print publication, we have interviewed dozens of musicians and actors over the past months, commiserating about the challenges of restrictions and imagining brighter days ahead.
And altho......
Calling Birdhouse Builders - theHumm February 2022
By Glenda Jones & Barbara Carroll
The highly successful online birdhouse auction returns this year from April 18-29. Proceeds will go to the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust mmlt.ca to enable them to continue improving High Lonesome Nature Reserve with new fencing, parking area, signs and trail markers, and protection for Monarch butterflies. The fundraising goal is $7,500, and to make it happen we need birdhouse builders and buyers!
The buyers will get their chance later. In February and March, we need donations from birdhouse builders. Last year we had 52 bir......
Taking Care of the Browns A Canadian Play at Studio Theatre Perth - theHumm February 2022
Need a laugh, a little positive lift to your spirits? Don’t miss Studio Theatre Perth’s upcoming production of Taking Care of the Browns by Canadian playwright Peter Paylor. It’s a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy about family, community and dead house guests, and a reminder that some old-fashioned things are well worth keeping. The play is scheduled to open on February 10, assuming pandemic restrictions are lifted.
“I chose this play because it struck me as the most real con......
Songs for Our Time Folkus Brings Shows to the Almonte Old Town Hall and Your Livingroom! - theHumm February 2022
By Sandy Irvin
We’re counting this year as our 20th season. And so far, none of it has gone as planned. But we’re still sure that we love live music, and that we want to keep supporting Canadian artists. And we’re still sure that you love music too.
With the continued uncertainty over numbers and live concerts, Folkus has added online streaming as an option for those who want to enjoy our concerts from the comfort of their own couch. At a bargain price of $20 per show per household, it’s......
February Fun forFamily Day! - theHumm February 2022
By Sarah Kerr
As I write this little article, we have had the kids at school for two-and-a-half days this year and it’s nearly February. Having kids online in lockdown during the darkest month of year, while trying to get work done, was the farthest thing from “fun”… there was stress, tears and soo much coffee! I was gearing up for Blue Monday (the most depressing day of the year) with trepidation as everyone’s anxiety was already so high, and yet I felt a sliver of excitement about the back-to-school announcement......
Help NLHS Restore the Pioneer Log Cabin - theHumm February 2022
Located on the grounds of the North Lanark Regional Museum, the Pioneer Log Cabin has been a popular tourist destination for many years. Not only does the cabin have local historical importance — architecturally it is an excellent example of a rough-hewn log cottage-style settler’s home. The construction is typical of log homes found across the Ottawa Valley in the early half of the 19th century.
The North Lanark Historical Society (NLHS) is seeking financial assistance from the community for it......
Spellbound at Sivarulrasa Gallery - theHumm February 2022
From February 16 to March 25, Sivarulrasa Gallery is delighted to present Barbara Gamble: Spellbound, Forty Years of Artmaking, an important survey exhibition featuring works by Ottawa-based artist Barbara Gamble. The exhibition can be seen in-person during regular Gallery hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11am to 5pm, and Sundays from 11am to 4pm.
Presented in both Gallery I and II, the exhibition surveys Barbara Gamble’s work over the past four decades, providing fresh insights into t......
From Climate Anxiety to Political Action - theHumm February 2022
By Kris Riendeau
JJ Davis is an Arnprior resident who recently started a petition to demonstrate community support for a presentation she gave to Arnprior Town Council regarding the lack of a municipal climate action plan. She presented on January 24 after drumming up significant support for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which she feels should be top of mind for any municipality. Here’s how JJ started turning her climate anxiety into political action.
theHumm: I understand you’re relat......
Perth’s Frost & FireWinter Festival - theHumm February 2022
Perth Tourism is pleased to present the Frost & Fire Winter Festival, taking place over Family Day weekend on Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20.
Returning after a brief pandemic-caused hiatus, the two-day event will provide visitors with an array of activities geared towards all ages. Traverse throughout Perth and take part in the scavenger hunt for a chance to win some great prizes. Encounter entertainers and partake in a horse and carriage ride along the downtow......
Back Forty Artisan Cheese — the Reopening! - theHumm February 2022
For many individuals and small businesses, the past two years have been quite a challenge. Cancellations, restrictions, mask mandates and ongoing closures have affected all of us in one way or another. But with Yin comes the Yang, and many of us have taken the downtime during the pandemic to re-evaluate our priorities, goals and aspirations.
For Jenna and Jeff Fenwick, owners of Back Forty Artisan Cheese, this resulted in a decision to temporarily close their retail cheese ......
Material World Exhibit - theHumm February 2022
There’s a new history exhibit coming to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum! Material World on the Mississippi will have hands-free interactive videos of mill workers talking about many aspects of working in a textile mill. Topics include operating the machines, the comradery, and the health and wellbeing challenges of the industry.
The textile industry in the Mississippi Valley has also negatively impacted the environment and its people. These issues exist in a compl......
Starting Veggie Seedlings Indoors - theHumm February 2022
By David Hinks
I JUST NEED TO PLANT SOMETHING!! After months of winter, gardeners are understandably crazy eager to plant some seeds. But slow down, hombre! This is a case where timing is critical! We’ve all despaired over sprawling three-foot tomato plants that we can’t plant in the garden for another three weeks. We’ve salivated over the seed catalogues and ordered the perfect varieties with all the flavour and disease resistance that we’ve dreamt of — so now let’s give them the patient care they deserve.
Th......
Are You Riled Up Yet? - theHumm February 2022
By Chandler Swain
Rick Smith is well known for his work on the impacts of pollution on human health. The research in his book Death by Rubber Ducky was the impetus to get hormone-disrupting carcinogenic chemicals out of baby bottles and kids’ toys. When parents realized that BPA was in the bottles they used every day to feed their vulnerable newborns, they demanded — and got — a foot-dragging federal government to classify the chemical as a toxin to protect Canadians’ health.
It has been proven again and again: if citizens get together to demand action from governments, change will happen. The folks at......
“Growing Hope” Gardening Workshops - theHumm February 2022
On February 22 at 7pm, Zoom in to hear Master Gardener Allan Goddard speak about Horticulture Therapy. Allan will discuss the therapeutic effects that horticulture can have for our wellbeing, particularly mental health benefits.
Then on March 22 at 7pm, Scott Sigurdson from Indian Creek Orchard Gardens will give a talk on Permaculture. Scott will continue to enlighten us about permaculture and organic strategies for the home gardener, including four crucial aspects of organic agriculture: fertility, pest, disease and vegetation management.
These timely and useful talks are part of......
What’s the Risk? - theHumm February 2022
By Glenda Jones
It’s a cold day, but I need to saddle up old Nellie. Yup, she’s a high horse, and I’m on her! Giddy-up old girl, we’re headin’ for the trail.
Every morning I gird myself for a risky day. I might trip on the dog in the semi-dark. The hot coffee might spill or the toast burn, or heaven forbid I might slip and fall when I go for the newspaper. But today, I’ve already dodged the bullet four times. This portends well.
Having success so far, I think I can risk heading to the grocery store. Risk? Oh, you bet! Simply driving on March Road is a challenge. Then there’s the roundabout, then ......
MERA’s Speaker Series - theHumm February 2022
Brighten up your winter on Thursday evenings by tuning in for an exciting series of talks presented by MERA. Cozy up at home, as the Speakers Series will be held over Zoom.
There are four talks schedules in February, each running from 7–8:30pm. Join as many as you like — organizers have tried to plan something for everyone. Interested viewers need to subscribe to the series to receive the invitation to watch the talk, by emailing Helen at hmogford@gmail.com .
On February 3, Jennifer Raby ...more
On Hope and Optimism - theHumm February 2022
By John Pigeau
Back in January, my boss — theHumm’s delightful and talented editor/publisher, Kris Riendeau — asked me if I would like to contribute a few sentences about what I was hopeful for in 2022. I would be happy to, I wrote her. But then I sat down to write something, and I was overcome by a foggy sort of sadness. I sat in front of my laptop for quite some time, thinking quietly.
Eventually, I was able to write something: A swift end to this dreadful pandemic was, and is, my greatest hope.
I sat back and sighed. Yep. That was about it. And truthfully, it was hard to think......
Apr 20 Perth Trashure Hunt Clean-up
Apr 20 Solitary Man
Apr 27 Festival of the Maples
Apr 27 The Moth Project
May 4 - 5 Spring Fine Art Show
May 4 Outskirts
May 5 Music at Mera: The Andrew Collins Trio
May 11 - 12 Art in the Attic
May 11 Engelbert Humperdinck & Tom Jones Tribute
May 16 MMLT Talk & AGM
- IS THIS A PROTEST?
- A Classic Whodunnit Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee at Studio Theatre
- Readers, Writers, and Poets
- Celebrate Indigenous Culture in CP
- Celebrate the ClassicsWith the Arnprior Choir
- 4F Auction Concoction Food, Fun, Fashion & Favourites
- Cheerfully Made Spring Market
- Electrify to Decarbonize Lanark
- Volunteer Forum
- Frankenstein Comes to The Station Theatre
